It's that time of year when county fairs across the state become a must-stop destination for some of country music's biggest stars.

This weekend, country fans heading a few miles west from Milwaukee will find two big shows at the Jefferson County Fair (503 N Jackson Ave. in Jefferson). Tonight at 7, Gloriana is joined by former "American Idol" contestant Casey James on the grandstand. Saturday night, it's Little Big Town headlining at the fairgrounds with Madison-based Madison County opening. With a mix of first-come, first-serve general admission seating included with fair admission and reserved spots at an additional price point, the shows can be an affordable way to catch these acts in a unique setting. General admission to the Jefferson County Fair is $10, with a few money-saving deals outlined on the event's website. | July 12, 2013»Read Full Blog Post

Friday's Florentine Opera production of Handel's "Julius Caesar" scored both hits and misses.

The story of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra and the struggles between their cultures is both ancient and timely. Set by the composer in 48 B.C., the Florentine's production was set somewhere in the early or middle part of the 20th century and directed by Eric Einhorn. | March 29, 2014»Read Full Article(1)

Ten plays for 10 bucks, featuring the 12 actors and two directors comprising the latest edition of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's fabled intern program — many of whose graduates become stars? Pinch me, please, to make sure I'm awake.

But the Rep Lab — a creation of Rep Artistic Director Mark Clements, now in its fourth year — is no dream, even if many of this year's plays explore the difference between our dreamscapes and our everyday lives, and the related difference between our performing selves and who we actually are. | March 29, 2014»Read Full Article

Seeking to create a bigger sound for the band's new indie-rock album, Yellow Ostrich frontman Alex Schaaf was influenced by the vastness of space, particularly the books of Carl Sagan and his landmark miniseries "Cosmos," of which the album shares a name.

But where Schaaf first found inspiration was far smaller in stature: Prairie du Chien, where the New York-based musician grew up the son of a butcher shop owner and a family living agent working for Crawford County. | March 29, 2014»Read Full Article